ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Over the last three decades, SLFCU President and CEO Robert Chavez has seen many changes in the financial industry. Now, after 21 years of distinguished service at Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union, Chavez is preparing for one last assignment: retirement. Chavez plans to step down from his position in June 2022. DDJ Myers, LTD has begun a national search for his replacement.
After graduating from New Mexico State University in 1984, Chavez began his career with Sunwest Bank in Albuquerque. After 13 years there, he joined Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers as Chief Financial Officer. In 2000, Chavez joined SLFCU as Vice President of Operations, moving into the CEO role in 2014. “It is hard to believe that when I first joined the Credit Union we had only five branches, 170 employees, 45,000 members, and $597 million in assets,” notes Chavez. Under his leadership, SLFCU is now 132,000 members strong; with nine branches in the Albuquerque metro area, one in Livermore, California, and three in the Four Corners region of New Mexico. “Today, with over $3.5 billion in assets and 394 employees, SLFCU is poised to continue its role as a respected leader in the financial community, and a great force for good as we continue our mission of assisting members to attain financial fitness to live a good life,” says Chavez.
Chavez emphasizes that he is only one of many dedicated employees who work daily to sustain a top quality experience for SLFCU members. “My life’s work has been all about continually striving to improve what the Credit Union offers and how its products and services are delivered,” he notes. During his tenure, he managed the successful conversion of SLFCU’s core operating system – a technological turning point for the organization, as it replaced a homegrown system that had been in place for 40 years. Chavez also guided the implementation of SLFCU’s successful business and commercial lending departments, and significantly expanded the Credit Union’s home loan offerings. And, he says he is particularly proud to have led the effort to return $30 million in special dividends directly back to members since 2016.
Over the years, Chavez has generously given his time on a variety of not-for-profit and business boards. Most notably, from 2016-2018, he was one of 12 members appointed to the Federal Reserve of Kansas City Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. According to SLFCU Board Chairman Chuck Maheras, Chavez has cultivated a very high performing team that will continue to serve the members beyond his tenure. “On behalf of the entire Board, I congratulate Robert on his upcoming retirement and thank him for his more than two decades of servant leadership to the employees and members of SLFCU. We are grateful for all he has accomplished, and wish him and his family the very best during his well deserved retirement,” says Maheras.
About Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union
SLFCU is one of New Mexico’s largest credit unions by asset size and serves over 132,000 members. The Credit Union operates nine branches in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area, one in Livermore, California, and three in the Four Corners region of New Mexico. SLFCU currently holds $3.5 billion in assets and is consistently ranked among the top credit unions for total financial return to members by Callahan and Associates. SLFCU has been named a Best-In State Credit Union by Forbes for the last three years, and was named as one of Albuquerque Business First’s Best Places to Work in 2020 and 2021.
Formed in 1948 by employees of Sandia National Laboratories, the field of membership served by SLFCU now includes more than 1,500 companies in New Mexico and California. Employees of those companies and their family members use SLFCU for financial services including checking, savings, home and auto loans, credit and debit cards, investment services, and business services. Members enjoy a surcharge-free nationwide ATM system and free online account services. The Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and is an Equal Housing Lender. SLFCU makes loans without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status.
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September 1, 2021
